Lesson 4.1.2

4.1.2 Measuring biodiversity: heterozygosity and diversity index Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Biology, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.1.2, Measuring biodiversity: heterozygosity and diversity index: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Biology (9BI0), Unit 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What does the heterozygosity index measure within a population?

    • Genetic diversity
    • Habitat diversity
    • Species richness
    • Species evenness

  2. Which equation is used to calculate the heterozygosity index, H?

    • Heterozygotes ÷ total individuals
    • Heterozygotes + homozygous dominant
    • Total individuals ÷ heterozygotes
    • Heterozygotes × total individuals

  3. In a population of 40 individuals, 8 are heterozygous at a locus. What is H?

    • 0.2
    • 0.02
    • 5
    • 0.4

  4. A population has 50 individuals, and 15 are heterozygous at a locus. What is the heterozygosity index H?

    • 0.3
    • 0.15
    • 0.7
    • 0.5

  5. What is the value of H if every individual in a population is homozygous?

    • 0
    • 0.5
    • 2
    • 1

  6. Which formula is used to calculate the index of diversity D in a habitat?

    • D = sum of n / N
    • D = N / sum of n
    • D = N(N - 1) / sum of n(n - 1)
    • D = sum of n(n - 1) / N(N - 1)

  7. In a sample of 20 individuals from three species with counts 10, 6 and 4, what is the index of diversity D?

    • 20
    • 0.35
    • 2.88
    • 5.5

  8. Which factor increases the index of diversity of a habitat?

    • Low species count
    • Low species richness
    • High species dominance
    • High species evenness

  9. What is the main advantage of using a heterozygosity index rather than counting heterozygotes?

    • Identifies dominant alleles
    • Allows population comparison
    • Determines mutation rate
    • Measures species richness

  10. What term describes the total number of different species present in a community?

    • Heterozygosity index
    • Allele frequency
    • Species richness
    • Diversity index

  11. A sample of 10 individuals contains 4 heterozygotes at a locus. What percentage of the sample is heterozygous?

    • 10%
    • 40%
    • 4%
    • 0.4%

  12. A habitat has a total of N = 10 individuals from two species, with counts of 8 and 2. What is D?

    • 10
    • 2.5
    • 1.55
    • 20

  13. Which measurement best quantifies genetic diversity within a single species?

    • Species richness
    • Diversity index
    • Endemism index
    • Heterozygosity index

  14. What aspect of biodiversity is ignored when measuring only species richness?

    • Geographic location
    • Species abundance
    • Species richness
    • Genetic diversity

  15. A population of 200 individuals has 30 heterozygotes at a locus. What is H expressed as a decimal?

    • 6.7
    • 0.15
    • 0.6
    • 0.3

  16. Why does a high heterozygosity index indicate greater genetic diversity?

    • Fewer overall loci
    • Lower mutation rate
    • More different alleles
    • More homozygous genes

  17. What does a low index of diversity value indicate about a habitat?

    • High species richness
    • Balanced community structure
    • High overall biodiversity
    • Low species evenness

  18. What does a higher index of diversity value reveal about habitat A compared to habitat B?

    • Greater genetic mutation
    • Lower species richness
    • Equal species evenness
    • Greater species diversity

  19. Why are heterozygotes counted to determine the genetic diversity of a population?

    • Carrying identical alleles
    • Carrying two alleles
    • Mutating more frequently
    • Reproducing more rapidly

  20. In a sample of 25 individuals, 5 are heterozygous at a locus. What is H?

    • 0.05
    • 0.5
    • 0.2
    • 5

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